KEY POINTS:
John Wheeler is under the pump.
When Stand Tall got up to his old tricks and stood in the stalls and watched the field go by a conservative 10 lengths last start, the popular trainer declared he would have the horse straightened out by its next start.
It
was Stand Tall's first start for Wheeler and he amazed everyone by coming from being tailed off to being beaten half a head and a long neck in the $60,000 Interprovincial Challenge at New Plymouth.
Wheeler, who will be in Queensland tomorrow, accepted Stand Tall for three races tomorrow.
He had him in the $60,000 First Sovereign Trust Trentham Gold Cup (2200m) and the R90 1600m at Trentham and also in the R90 2100m at Ellerslie.
He has decided on the R90 at Trentham.
"I was worried about running him on a really wet track and that's still a concern, but Trentham was always my first choice," he said last night.
Stand Tall is a hugely talented galloper when he puts it together properly. Shannon Doyle will take 1kg off his 58kg and with 57kg he will be a strong chance despite facing two talented rivals in Jowka and Mega Belt.
Mega Belt will claim 3kg through Tyler Johnson and Jowka will carry the full 58kg.
The Trentham track reading was 4.2 and slow yesterday morning and Wheeler is hoping for either some drying or a few showers to ensure a loose surface.
Even with 58kg, Jowka is a strong chance if he manages the conditions. He has a frame strong enough to cope with the 58kg.
Jowka was caught back on the rail in mid-field when tearaway leader Sandcastle established a race-winning break in front mid-race. His finishing effort was impressive.
One of the factors for John Wheeler choosing the R90 event for Stand Tall was also having last-start winner Castlebar engaged in the Trentham Gold Cup.
"She came from last to win at Awapuni and I've been very happy with her since," he said.
The TAB has Castlebar as a loose $5 favourite just ahead of Scrutineer at $6.
Auckland mare Ististar is a tight $1.90 favourite to win the Gibson Group Galaxy Stakes.